ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Pitman’s Sanchez helps Pride roll into league

Pitman High point guard Avery Sanchez (ALEX MORALES/The Journal).

Pitman High point guard Avery Sanchez scored 46 points last week in Central California Athletic League road victories over Turlock and Enochs, helping the Pride move to 4-0 in league action and pull out to an early two-game lead.

“We take everything one game at a time,” said Sanchez, who totaled 19 points, three rebounds, three assists and four steals in a 59-43 win over the Bulldogs, then came back with 27 points, seven boards, two assists and two steals in a 57-43 triumph over the Eagles. “We know we’re not good enough to overlook anybody.”

Due to a scheduling quirk, Pitman will play tonight at Gregori High (Modesto), the fourth time in five league games the Pride has been on the road.

“We understood our schedule, that we had one game at home and four on the road over the first five,” said Sanchez. “Our goal was just to look forward to each game.”

Gregori, 2-2 in the CCAL boys basketball standings, is part of the four-way logjam for second place.

Sanchez, a 6-foot-2, 165-pound junior in his third season on the varsity team , is a versatile performer who also fills a leadership role for the Pride.

“I think the way I’ve kind of grown up, with the teams I played on, pre-high school, helped give me some leadership skills,” said Sanchez. “And (Harvey) Marable is a great coach to look up to as a leader, too. We’re a team with a lot of young guys so I’ve been happy to step into that role and help out as much as I can.

“I think I”m the type of player who can take on whatever role is needed any given night to help us win the game. If I need to rebound, I’ll do it. If I need to rack up eight or nine assists, I’ll do it. And if I need to defend their best player, I’ll do it.”

Sanchez isn’t looking toward CCAL or Sac-Joaquin Section titles as goals for the Pride (15-6). He’s keeping things simple.

“For me, the goal is to reach the standard we’ve been working toward all year,” said Sanchez. “We need to compete 100 percent of the time, every single second, and execute to the best of our ability. My realistic goal for this team is to outwork the other team and execute better than them.”

Age: 17

Grade: Junior

Favorite class: English or History

Favorite food: Mom's tacos

Hobbies: Listening to music, reading, or playing “Angry Birds”

Secret talent: I can play the flute.

Dream college: Duke

Favorite movie: “A Charlie Brown Christmas”

Favorite color: Blue

Favorite athlete: Kobe Bryant

Favorite team: Golden State Warriors

Last book read: “The 48 Laws of Power”